The OK You’ve Got This Campaign is committed to helping build resilience among Addison County youth and to helping families thrive. In this unprecedented time, our ability to both stay grounded in our strengths and also to adapt to change is more important than ever. We are collating and collecting resources on this page to help parents and youth continue to build the 7 characteristics of resilience: Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, Contribution, Control, and Coping. Come back often as we add new tools and resources regularly and to help you stay up to date with our unfolding new world experiences.

PARENT RESOURCES

Talking To Your Children About COVID-19
Free Fun Activities For Youth
Easy recipes for more dinner together
24/7 Free Telephone Support Line
Tips for Heading Back to School K-12
Early Childhood Education Resources
Come Alive Outside Summer Passport

SURVIVAL TIPS

  • Cut each other some slack. Cooped up time on top of each other can bring out the worst in people. Don’t show up to every argument you are invited to, and don’t hold grudges and continue disagreements. Everyone is doing the best they can to make it through this.
  • Notice the good. There is a lot of scary, negative and overwhelming information to take in regarding this pandemic. There are also a ton of stories of people sacrificing, donating and supporting one another in miraculous says. It is important to counterbalance the heavy information with the hopeful information. See our Messages of Hope for inspiration.

  • Help others. Find ways, big and small, to give to others. Support restaurants, check in with elderly neighbors, friends. Reach out to people who you know live alone. Helping others gives us a sense of agency when things seem out of control.
  • Laughter is good medicine. There is a lot to be worried about. Counterbalance this heaviness with something funny each day: cat videos on YouTube, a Stand-Up comedy show, holding a goofiest dancer contest in your kitchen.

  • Ask for help. When we acknowledge and seek help with problems, we reject stigma associated with imperfection and we get the help we all sometimes need. When we reach our limits and reach out to others, we model that strong people seek support and guidance.

  • Screen Free Time. Designate zone in the house where no screens are allowed and/or designate specific screen-free times (including phones). Everyone is dependent on our screens these days and we are using them out of necessity in much greater quantities than ever. Take a conscious break from our devices, and just connect with family members without distraction.

  • Healthy Routines. Establish healthy routines that provide predictable structure and that help to differentiate weekdays from weekends. Our days can often appear to blur together due to social distancing and stay at home requirements. We can create and use routines that not only offer a sense of order, but that also provide variety and enjoyment.
  • Celebrate! Co-create fun celebrations with your kids. Think of reasons to have a “party.” In some cases, it might be a naturally occurring birthday or anniversary…but in other cases, it might be something that you and your child(ren) “invent.” Cook something special together, decorate, dress up, and turn on the enthusiasm. Take a video or photos of the event to look back on.

  • Encourage new learning. It is a great time to expand upon one’s interests. Provide opportunities to deepen learning and ignite curiosity. Slow it down and enjoy moments of discovery.

  • Pay more attention to feelings. During this time, we are all coping with challenging feelings and emotions. It is important for us and our kids to learn to explore their own emotions and then learn to manage them. Sadness and grief may cause a child to need a little space to reflect on and process their feelings so that balance can be found again. Exploration of feelings, through asking questions and reflective listening as opposed to judgment or brushing them aside is key.

  • Talk about Fears. Vermonters have been staying home and staying safe for a long time. While many children are eager to see their friends and return to their regular activities, the transition can still be difficult. Here is how you can help.

    i. Take stock of your own feelings to help separate your emotions from theirs. Your own anxiety might influence how you perceive your child and could influence their own level of fear.

    ii. Talk about it. This can help children feel better and will give you a better idea of the many reason your child might be hesitant.

    iii. Take things in small steps. If your child is nervous about returning to a childcare center, consider a visit (if possible) before opening day, or planning a “warm hand-off” with someone your child can meet beforehand.

  • Fair isn’t always equal. It’s not always possible to have everything be perfectly equal but you can do your best to be fair and focus on the individual needs and concerns of children.
  • Consistency and boundaries. Set clear boundaries for behavior and articulate your expectations clearly. Then stick to them.

MESSAGES OF HOPE

  • Neighbors on Garfield Street in Bristol are singing together from their porches on Sunday afternoons.

  • Middlebury Residents are writing inspiring haikus on the sidewalks in town.

  • Art on Display Day in Bristol village where people set their favorite homemade and favorite artists works on display in their yard for passers by to see.

  • Art on Display Day in Bristol village where people set their favorite homemade and favorite artists works on display in their yard for passers by to see.

  • Olivia’s Crouton’s is giving away free bread kits through the Brandon Free Library.
OK you got this covid

Photo credit: Lee J. Kahrs

  • From the Addison Independent: Every evening at 7 p.m. since March 26 up to two-dozen residents have gathered in the Vergennes Union Elementary School parking lot to begin a nightly car parade through downtown, honking their horns and banging pots and pans. They are greeted by residents, who come out on porches or into front yards to play saxophones, bang their own pots and pans, wave flags — do whatever they can to take a break from staying inside all day to flatten the Corona virus curve.

Video: A clang and bang parade in Vergennes
  • Create Poetry! Lawrence Memorial Library in Bristol sets up a Poetry Rocks Garden.
OK you got this coivid resources

Photo credit: Jen Peterson

  • Bringing back the pen and paper! Bristol Front Porch Forum members are encouraging and helping youth and elders connect and beat the isolation blues with postcards.

OK hyou got this vermont

Photo credit: Jen Peterson

  • Encouraging tree cookies hung up around Ripton.
resilient children vermont

Photo credit: Britta Pirung

  • Resiliency encouragement in downtown Middlebury
Resiliency OK you got this

Photo credit: Alexander Smith

  • Addison County resident and talented musician Clint Berman and his family help us navigate the pandemic with humor and music.

My feed is full of friends and colleagues being super creative and I suppose that's the silver lining of this whole thing. I have been home schooling the kids mostly and for a project we made a family video of my new song "Home School." Please check it out. The kids and I worked very hard on this. And if you dig it, let us know and share it. Thanks and stay healthy. And just in case you feel so inclined 😉: Venmo @Clinton-Bierman

Posted by Clint Bierman on Friday, March 27, 2020

Ladies and gentleman, I present to you Sam Bierman. This may be the greatest thing I’ve ever done. For a school project, my seven year old, Sam, and I made a video for a song I wrote for him. Please enjoy and share. Kid’s gonna be star. Thanks to Andy Knight Mitchell for the sick drone footage! #notthatbad #dangmattsmith #glasshalffull #makinglemonade #somegoodnews #johnkrasinski #rockstar In case you're inspired to help with Sam's college fund: Venmo: @Clinton-bierman 😜

Posted by Clint Bierman on Friday, May 15, 2020
  • Eastview Senior Retirement Communty gets into the music act as well!
  • Resiliency Champions are on the front lines!
resiliency during covid